Orange Park High School Band

2021-2022

WELCOME!It's that time of year again when plans are being made for the next school year, and you must decide where you intend to devote your time, effort, and energy. We highly encourage you to become a part of our family that is the Orange Park Raider Band. Musical talent is a gift. The fact that you are a part of the tradition of excellence in your band means that you possess this gift for music, and your gift must be nurtured to its fullest potential!

All of the students in the Orange Park High School Raider Band are ready to welcome you into our program. Ask any student in our band, and they will tell you about the feeling of “family” that exists between the members of our group,

the intellectual and emotional stimulation that music provides, and the important lessons they have learned about life, leadership, teamwork, and friendship. Because of our feeling of “family,” band at Orange Park High is not just another class at school.

Take advantage of your opportunity to be in the OPHS band program - this is what you have been working towards since the first day you played your instrument! The sense of teamwork, commitment, and feelings of personal accomplishment will take on a whole new meaning when you are in the Raider Band.

THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR GREAT MUSIC MAKING!!!

CLASSES, AUDITIONS, & SCHEDULINGPlacement auditions for incoming band students will take place over the next month. Everybody “makes the band", so the audition simply places you into the correct ensemble and on the correct part, best suited for your musical level and the band's needs. There will be three main classes of band students in 2021-2022: Winds, Percussion, & Colorguard ('Dance Techniques'). All three of these separate classes combine to make the marching band during the Fall semester. Our additional course offerings include: Jazz Band & AP Music Theory. As a co-requisite, you must be enrolled in either the Winds or Percussion class to also take Jazz Band.

Marching Band at Orange Park HS is a requirement of every band student. The marching band activity is one of the most fun parts of band! Attending football games, going to competitions, and showing school spirit are all part of what we do in the Raider Band!

BAND CAMP IS REQUIRED!!!July 26 - August 6, 2021

Being a member of the Raider Band will be one of the greatest experiences of your life! Membership in the marching band is a requirement of all band students, but more than that, it’s FUN! Band camp is the name of our summer pre-season training that prepares our band to be the best it can be. Many of you have little experience with marching band; learning the steps and the music is a fun and rewarding experience. When we plan the marching show, we assign everyone a place on the field. If you’re not at band camp, you will miss out on your placement and therefore might spend most of the marching season on the sidelines or as an alternate for the marching band.

Alternates for the show attend all marching band rehearsals, performances, and functions, and are considered to be full members (as far as participation) in the marching band. Alternates have the possibility to be assigned a permanent spot in the show if/when one becomes available during the season.

July 26 (Leadership ONLY) All Leadership, 9:00AM-4:00PM

Lunch, 12:00-1:00PM

July 27 (NEW MEMBERS, Leadership, Percussion, & Colorguard) 8:30AM, OPHS Band Room 11:30AM, Lunch (bring from home)12:30PM, Sectionals1:45PM, Full Music Rehearsal3:30-5:30PM, Practice Field 'The Range'ALL Percussion, 8:30AM-5:30PM (w/ lunch break) ALL Colorguard, 8:30AM-5:30PM (w/ lunch break) *5:45-6:00PM, Pick-up time (from band room)

Lunch, 11:30AM-12:30PM

July 28-30 & August 2-5 (ALL Members) 8:30AM, Practice Field 'The Range' (marching fundamentals) 11:30AM, Lunch (bring from home)12:30PM, Sectionals1:45PM, Full Music Rehearsal3:30-5:30PM, Practice Field 'The Range' (marching/drill/music) *5:45-6:00PM, Pick-up time (from band room)

Lunch, 11:30AM-12:30PM

August 6 (ALL Members)9:00AM, Band Field12:00PM, Lunch (bring from home)1:30PM, Full Ensemble/Run-through (outside) 3:30PM, Dismissal3:45PM, Pick-up time (from band room)

*7:00PM, Parent Preview Performance

BAND CAMP SCHEDULE

Alternates make it possible for students to take part in multiple school activities while still participating in band. Some Freshman will be selected as alternates during the early part of the season, as they are the least experienced marching members. However, permanent spots will open up quickly and EVERYBODY GETS A TURN TO PERFORM! It will be almost impossible to catch up if you do not attend Band Camp. You should plan vacations around band camp so that you can have your own permanent spot in the show!

All new members in the band must attend the 'New Member Camp' in early June (see dates below) and the New Member portion of Band Camp, starting on Tuesday, July 27 @ 8:30AM!

Morning & evening rehearsals will be held outside. Most afternoon rehearsals will be held inside. We are planning a great show for you. Make sure that you are at camp so you can be a part of our awesome marching band!

There is a NEW MEMBER CAMP, June 7-9, 2021: • 9AM-4PM [OPHS Band Room]• 11:30AM-12:30PM, Lunch (not provided; bring your own)

It is required of all incoming new members & leadership members to attend the New Member Camp!

Marching Band requires after school rehearsals in order to coordinate all aspects of the marching show. The only time we put the entire band on the field is at our after-school rehearsals. Marching Band rehearsals will be from 6:00 - 8:30PM every Tuesday and Thursday in the Fall Semester (August - November). Starting in late September, Thursday rehearsals will be moved earlier. There are also several Monday afternoon rehearsals. All rehearsals are on the CHARMS band calendar. Still, we practice less hours than several other marching bands in our area, and yet we continue to have one of the strongest marching programs around!The Orange Park HS Band program has a history of excellence with both marching and concert bands. The philosophy of our program emphasizes concert literature as being the most important and we will be

working on the best band literature during class each day. We will practice marching band music during class occasionally, but the majority of our year is focused on the repertoire for the Fall, Winter, and Spring Concerts, as well as the music for Concert & Jazz Band Music Performance Assessments.

The Symphonic Band also rehearses regularly after school, starting in late Fall and during the entire Spring Semester - Concert MPA Season. Symphonic Band Rehearsals will take place on Tuesdays from 2:30-5:00PM. These rehearsals are necessary in order to coordinate the percussionists & wind instrumentalists who are in separate band classes during the school day.

Band is a 'CO-CURRICULAR' activity, meaning that all after-school rehearsals are required and are a part of each student’s participation grade. Every effort will be made to make students and parents aware of these rehearsals in advance!

BAND PRACTICE

PARENTS - WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!As you can see, we have an active organization dedicated to making your child's experience with music worthwhile.

It is important that you remain involved in the musical aspect of your child’s education.

A great way to help is to be an active part of our band parents’ support group. By volunteering your time, you will be able to help our organization run with high efficiency which ultimately benefits your child! We know you’ll find our organization to be friendly and focused on helping music education affect your child in a positive way.

We can continue to have one of the best programs in Northeast Florida if you will pitch in and help. Here are just a few our our big events where you can be involved with our organization:

-Chaperone football games/competitions/trips-Assist with concessions-Assist with the equipment truck-Assist in building & setting-up props

-Assist with coordinating fundraisers-Assist with a post-concert reception-Assist when OP hosts an FBA district band event-Assist with Band Banquet

Mrs. Isabell Shiver is our Band Parent Organization Coordinator. Please get in touch with her if you are a parent, and would like to help out with the band this upcoming year.

Her email is isabell04@bellsouth.net. Thank you in advance for your support!!!

Orange Park HS Band Calendar 2021 - 2022Welcome to the Orange Park High School Band Program! Our program has a lot to offer your student,

and we want you to be informed about all of the band’s policies and understand your financial obligations. We will help you any way that we can! If you have any questions about our program,

please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Pikuritz (brett.pikuritz@myoneclay.net)

OPHS Raider Band Website - http://www.orangeparkband.com

Below is a general calendar for the school year. Please enter these dates into your personal calendar now or subscribe to our calendar. A complete calendar with more specific dates will be updated regularly,

and is kept under the 'Calendar' section of Charms.

June 7-9

July 24

July 26 - August 6

August 6

June 15 - July 22

August 10 First Day of School!

August - November Orange Park HS Football Games: Friday Nights See 'Calendar' on Charms

September 25 Rehearse-a-thon 9AM-6PM

December 9 (tentative) Winter Concert 7PM - OPHS Cafetorium

October - November

Marching Band MPA Bartram Trail HS, all-day

Marching Band Competitions: Select Saturdays (all-day)

10/9, 10/16, 10/23, 11/6, & 11/13 (locations TBD)

Concert Band MPA Flagler Palm Coast HS

late April/early May State Concert MPA Dates & Times TBD

May Drum Major, Percussion, & Colorguard Auditions;Leadership Interviews

mid May

October 23

New Member Camp

Band Camp Registration

Band Camp (Preseason Training)

Parent Preview Performance

9AM-4PM [OPHS Band Room]

9AM-3PM [specific times TBA]

See p.2 for full schedule

7PM, Band Field - 'The Range'

Jazz Band MPA

Instrumental Solo & EnsembleCreekside HS

Creekside HS

February 3 February 4 & 5

Dates & Times TBD

7PMSpring Band Concert

March 3-5

Summer Rehearsals: Percussion & Colorguard Percussion: Tuesdays, 4-8PM; Colorguard: Thursdays, 4-8PM

Orange Park High School

September 18 All-State Auditions Matanzas HS

November 19-21 FMBC State Championships Ocala, FL - World Equestrian Center

March 11-15 Chicago Trip! Chicago, Illinois [JAX --> CHI --> JAX]

FEE AMOUNT DUE DATE

$150 (7/24) + $150 (9/10) + $100 (10/15)

*ITEMIZED NEEDS (ONLY as needed)

Polo Shirt (optional) $30

Cooler (first one provided, complimentary) $7

Marching Shoes (new winds & percussionists only) $35

Gloves (first pair provided, complimentary) $5

Uniform Shirt (first one provided, complimentary) $12-$15

Concert Dress $65

Instrument Rental Fee (per semester/per year); Winds ONLY $60/$120

ADDITIONAL COLORGUARD FEES (ITEMIZED)

Shoes (required for all colorguard members) $40

Warm-ups $75 September 3

2021-2022 Band Fees & Payment Schedule

July 24

Colorguard Fee (outdoor guard only; indoor guard is separate) $500 $200 (7/24) + $150 (9/10) + $150 (10/15)

Commitment Deposit (ALL students; non-refundable) $50 June 7

Percussion Fee (includes yearly equipment rental fee) $500

Winds Fee (not including rental fee; see below) $400

July 24

Jackets TBA TBA

$200 (7/24) + $150 (9/10) + $150 (10/15)

Chicago Trip Deposit - https://greenlight.grcoll.co/go/ophs22chi $50 May 26

Chicago Trip Payments - https://greenlight.grcoll.co/go/ophs22chi 12.5% cost of trip ~ $214 6/26, 7/26, 8/26, 9/26, 10/26, 11/26, 12/26, 1/26

A few notes about Band Fees...The list of fees on the previous page must be applied to your specific child’s situation - not everyone pays every fee. For example, wind

instrumentalists only need to pay the 'Winds Fee'. Also, the itemized list of expenses are only needed as a first year purchase and/or when a student loses an item. The Commitment Deposit of $50 is due by June 7. This non-refundable deposit will hold a spot for you in the

marching band show! The first installment of band fees are due at Band Camp Registration on Saturday, July 24, and the remaining installments are due on the following dates: September 10 & October 15.

Acceptable forms of payment are cash and money order. BAND FEES CAN BE PAID EARLY, OVER THE SUMMER!

There are several fundraisers scheduled throughout the year to help offset band costs: Gift Wrapping, Cookie Dough/Magazine Sales, etc.

Be on the look out for these opportunities!If there is ever a question or concern about finances, please see Mr. Pikuritz.

Finances should never be a reason for a student to not participate in band!

OPHS Band Uses Charms Office Assistant!

The Charms Music Office Assistant is our system for keeping financial records and student information for the Orange Park High School Band. Fundraisers, trips, band fees, instrumentation, ensembles, etc. are organizedthrough Charms. You can access your account balance,update your contact information (i.e. email), view your assigned inventory, and check dates on the calendar any time you want through the Charms system. Your Charms log-in ID & password are both your Student Number, until you choose to reset your password.

Band Fees are the only finances tracked within the Charms system. ALL payments must be deposited into the OPHS band office safe using our envelope deposit system. Please be sure to label your envelope with your name,

what fee you are paying for, and the amount (i.e. John Smith 'Commitment Deposit' $50).

The OPHS (Charms) School Code is 'orangeparkband'

Visitwww.orangeparkband.com to find your way to Charms!

Most band information will be posted on the OPHS Band website

(www.orangeparkband.com)

It is absolutely essential that parents and students check the website OFTEN to get updates about rehearsals, performances, fundraisers, trips, and all other things that we do as a team. If you do not have internet access at home, please get a friend to check the site for you or stop by the media center or the local library. We have learned through the years that most papers simply do not make it home. Using the website is easy and informative!

MAKE IT YOUR HOME PAGE

TODAY!!!

http://www.orangeparkband.com

***Weekly emails will be sent each Sunday evening with that upcoming week's schedule***